Compare the2018 Infiniti Q50VS 2017 Tesla Model S

The Q50 (except )’s optional pre-crash front seatbelts will tighten automatically in the event the vehicle detects an impending crash, improving protection against injury significantly. The Model S doesn’t offer pre-crash pretensioners.

For enhanced safety, the front seat shoulder belts of the Infiniti Q50 are height-adjustable to accommodate a wide variety of driver and passenger heights. A better fit can prevent injuries and the increased comfort also encourages passengers to buckle up. The Tesla Model S doesn’t offer height-adjustable seat belts.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Q50 (except Pure) offers optional Back-up Collision Intervention which use rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Model S doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The Q50 (except Pure) offers an optional Around View® Monitor to allow the driver to see objects all around the vehicle on a screen. The Model S only offers a rear monitor and front and rear parking sensors that beep or flash a light. That doesn’t help with obstacles to the sides.

To help make backing safer, the Q50 (except Pure)’s optional cross-path warning system uses wide-angle radar in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. The Model S doesn’t offer a cross-path warning system.

The Q50 offers optional Infiniti Connection, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to get turn-by-turn driving directions, remotely unlock your doors if you lock your keys in, help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model S doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the Q50 and the Model S have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available all-wheel drive, crash mitigating brakes, lane departure warning systems and blind spot warning systems.

The Q50 comes with a full 4-year/60,000 mile basic warranty, which covers the entire car and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Model S’ 4-year/50,000 mile basic warranty expires 10,000 miles sooner.

The Q50’s corrosion warranty is 3 years and unlimited miles longer than the Model S’ (7/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

There are over 3 times as many Infiniti dealers as there are Tesla dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Q50’s warranty.

As tested in Motor Trend the Q50 Hybrid 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid is faster than the Model S 75:

The Q50 2.0t’s maximum EPA estimated driving range on a full tank of fuel is 600 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Model S’ range is only 294 miles, after which the minimum recharge time is 30 minutes for only a 54% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas. A full recharge at a conventional charging station can take up to 82 hours and 53 minutes.

In an emergency stopping situation, many drivers don’t press the brakes with enough force to stop the vehicle in the shortest distance. The Q50 has a standard brake assist system to detect emergency braking situations (by how hard and how quickly the brake pedal is pressed) and then automatically apply maximum braking immediately in order to help prevent a collision. The Model S doesn’t offer a brake assist feature.

The Q50 stops much shorter than the Model S:

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires available on the Q50 can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Model S doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The Q50 handles at .95 G’s, while the Model S 90D pulls only .90 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Infiniti Q50 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 750 pounds less than the Tesla Model S.

The Q50 is 6.4 inches shorter than the Model S, making the Q50 easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The Q50 is 5.5 inches narrower than the Model S, making the Q50 easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The Q50 has 7.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the Model S (101.5 vs. 94).

The Q50 has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 1.8 inches more front legroom, 2.2 inches more rear headroom and 1.1 inches more rear shoulder room than the Model S.

With its sedan body style, valet key, locking rear seatbacks and remote trunk release lockout, the Q50 offers cargo security. The Model S’ hatchback body style and non-lockable folding seat defeat cargo security.

A maintenance reminder system is standard on the Q50 to save the owner time and money by calculating maintenance intervals for oil changes and tire rotation based on odometer mileage. This takes the guesswork out of keeping your vehicle in top condition and helps it last longer. Tesla doesn’t offer a maintenance reminder on the Model S.

The Q50 (except 2.0t)’s optional easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Model S doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

If the windows are left down on the Q50 the driver can raise them all using the key in the outside lock cylinder. On a hot day the driver can lower the windows from outside the vehicle using the key in the outside lock cylinder or the keyless remote. The driver of the Model S can only operate the windows from inside the vehicle, with the ignition on.

The Q50’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model S doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the Q50 has standard extendable sun visors. The Model S doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Infiniti Q50 outsold the Tesla Model S by almost two to one during the 2016 model year.